The Mad Fox Taproom (2218 Wisconsin Ave.) is slated to finally open this spring, more than a year behind schedule, according to the Washington Business Journal. Surprises during renovations of the aged building have created delays and raised construction costs from $500,000 to $1.3 million, reporter Rebecca Cooper writes. But soon, the uncovering of long-forgotten windows, hearths, and archways “will lead to an end result that is full of original brick, interesting architectural details and a relaxed, neighborhood pub feel,” she adds. The building is the former home of Mayfair & Pine.

Mad Fox Brewing Company is expected to open in late summer at 2218 Wisconsin Ave., the former home of Mayfair & Pine, according to a spokeswoman. Permitting delays slowed the brew pub’s original early-2014 timeline, according to a March 24 tweet from the Virginia-based firm.

Mad Fox Brewing Company, a Falls-Church-based brewpub, will open a location in Glover Park next year, according to multiple news outlets including the Georgetown Patch. The Mad Fox Taproom will be located at 2218 Wisconsin Ave., the former home of Mayfair & Pine.

“Assuming permits and renovation go briskly, the Mad Fox Taproom could be open as early as first quarter 2014,” stated Mad Fox CEO and Executive Brewer Bill Madden in a press release sent to Patch and other news outlets.

UPDATE: Mad Fox sent us our own copy of the press release! It is pasted below:

Mad Fox is Coming to DC
Brewer Bill Madden to Expand Award-Winning Concept with
Opening of Taproom in Glover Park by First Quarter 2014

Falls Church, VA – Following last month’s festive celebration of the third anniversary of its flagship brewpub in Falls Church, Mad Fox Brewing Company announced today that it will expand to Washington, DC, with plans to open a 4,590 square foot taproom at 2218 Wisconsin Avenue, NW in Glover Park. Mad Fox Brewing Company Taproom (Mad Fox Taproom), a 127-seat neighborhood establishment, is slated to open by the end of first quarter 2014, depending on the renovations needed and the permitting process.

“Glover Park is a wonderful neighborhood that deserves a great beer bar like the Mad Fox Taproom,” said Mad Fox CEO and Executive Brewer Bill Madden. Mad Fox has been searching for a location in the Nation’s Capital for the past 20 months, scouting out 27 neighborhoods throughout the District. “Glover Park offers an ideal fit for our concept and shares similarities with Falls Church in its demographics and overall environment. And just like in Falls Church, we look forward to becoming an active and positive member of the community, contributing to both the economy and the culinary options of the area.”

The Mad Fox Taproom will showcase its award-winning handcrafted beers with draught and English-style cask service, with up to 24 draught and cask options. Diners can expect a full menu with appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, salads and small plates.

“All of the beers will be brewed in Falls Church in our 15-barrel brewery. We have plenty of capacity in our brewery and we’ll be able to serve all of our Falls Church fans, wholesale clients and the Glover Park taproom without any compromises.” Madden said. “Though the spotlight will be on our beers, our food is a key part of our concept and will help the taproom evoke a brewpub environment.”

Opening in Washington, DC has been part of the business model ever since Madden and business partner Rick Garvin formulated the Mad Fox concept in 2007. Though the pair eventually settled on Falls Church as its home base, Madden has experience expanding brewing concepts in the region. He served as Executive Brewer at Capitol City Brewing Company where he helped grow from one to five locations during his 10-year tenure.

Madden hopes to have the details finalized in time to take possession of the property in September. Assuming permits and renovation go briskly, the Mad Fox Taproom could be open as early as first quarter 2014.

“Building upon the success of our Falls Church location, we fully expect the Mad Fox Taproom to become a Glover Park destination, with craft beer lovers from all over DC coming to taste our beers.” Madden said. “I’m a big believer in ‘a rising tide lifts all boats,’ and I expect other Glover Park businesses to benefit from our presence, like they have in Falls Church. I can’t wait to bring the Mad Fox atmosphere and experience to the iconic city of Washington, DC.”

The original Falls Church location of Mad Fox Brewing Company is situated between Tysons Corner and Arlington at 444 West Broad Street in Falls Church. Mad Fox has taken home numerous nationwide awards since opening its doors three years ago under Madden’s leadership. This year alone, Mad Fox earned two “Best of 2013” honors by readers of Northern Virginia Magazine: Brewpub and Guy’s Night Out.

Additionally, the Falls Church brewpub remains active within the community and proudly sponsors many civic events, local festivals and business activities. A leader in the craft beer field, Mad Fox beers are featured at Nationals Park and eleven of the best craft beer bars in DC, and this week is a sponsor of DC Beer Week.

Not just a spot for beer connoisseurs, the cuisine at the Mad Fox Falls Church location has received critical acclaim as well. The brewery features a seasonal menu with items made in house from scratch—Executive Chef Andrew Dixon prides himself on using locally sourced produce, meats, cheeses and other farm fresh ingredients.

For additional information or to make reservations, visit the Mad Fox Brewing Company online at http://www.madfoxbrewing.com or call 703.942.6840. Free garage parking is available and the Falls Church brewpub is centrally located between the East Falls Church and West Falls Church Metro Stations. Follow Mad Fox on Twitter: @MadFoxBrewing or on Facebook: MadFoxBrewing.

On February 20, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board cancelled the liquor license for Margarita’s Restaurant (formerly at 2317 Wisconsin, the current home of Sprig & Sprout). The licensee, Maria Villalta, closed Margarita’s several years ago. Lately, she has tried unsuccessfully to find a new location for her restaurant or a buyer for her license.

Under Glover Park’s liquor license moratorium, up to 14 restaurants in the neighborhood are allowed to have full-service restaurant (CR) licenses. At press time, the former Margarita’s license was one of two Glover Park CR licenses that were unused and unapplied-for, according to an Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration spokesman.

The closing of Mayfair & Pine (2218 Wisconsin Ave.) and Kavanagh’s Pizza Pub (2400 Wisconsin Ave.) has left two more Glover Park CR licenses idle, though the Kavanagh’s license will soon be put to use at Arcuri, a trattoria slated to open in late April. The liquor license for JP’s Night Club (2412 Wisconsin Ave.), expected to reopen in May, is a nightclub (CN) license.

Did competition do them in? “We did not have any competition when it came to food on the strip,” says the chef. “No one had the chops, the creativity.” People in the area, she adds, preferred getting meals “delivered to their door.”

We’ll give her this: that’s a creative explanation for the restaurant’s troubles.